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The soundbar industry can be deceivingly cutthroat at times. No matter how great your features are or how amazing your sound is, if there is something slightly better for the same price, you are going to be the odd bar out. It doesn’t matter how good your features are or how amazing your sound is. This is the challenging lesson that Polk Audio’s brand new Signa S3 soundbar system, which costs $250, is having to learn.
It is a good choice on its own, being a soundbar that is enabled with Wi-Fi and producing quality sound through two channels, but Polk seems to have forgotten about the low-cost behemoth that is waiting in the opposite corner of the ring. In the event that you are unaware of who it is that we are discussing, you are about to find out.
Polk Audio Signa S3 Comparison Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Soundbar Dimensions | 2.1 x 35.43 x 3.22 inches |
| Subwoofer Dimensions | 14.37 x 7.5 x 14.25 inches |
| Soundbar Weight | 3.9 pounds |
| Subwoofer Weight | 12.5 pounds |
| Connectivity | HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth |
| Sound Technology | Dolby Digital decoding, SDA Surround Technology |
| Power Output | 200 Watts |
Polk Audio Signa S3 review: Design
The Polk Signa S3 is a soundbar and wireless subwoofer that builds on the success of other Polk models like the Signa S1 and the Command Bar. On the outside, it looks like the Signa S1 from 2014, but with a nicer, wool-like grill. Inside, however, there have been a number of important improvements.
The Signa S3 comes with Chromecast built in, so users can stream music from apps like Amazon Music HD, Spotify, and Tidal that are compatible. It doesn’t have a voice assistant built in, but you can use a separate Google Assistant speaker like the Nest Mini to control music. The sound processing has Movie, Music, and Night modes, as well as Polk’s Voice Adjust technology, which lets users change the level of the dialogue.
Polk Audio Signa S3 review: Sound quality
The Signa S3 stands out right away thanks to its above-average sound quality, which is especially important to keep in mind when discussing its applicability in a home theater setting. Even over intense action sequences with throbbing bass and cacophonous sounds.
We are able to understand every word that is stated, making the dialogue a great aspect of this piece. This is due, in part, to the fact that the S3 has three levels of dialogue, which not only permit the listener to emphasize dialogue but also permit them to select from three different settings of dialogue enhancement. You can buy this sound bar from its official website.
Polk Audio Signa S3 review: Connections
Even for a soundbar, the Signa S3 doesn’t have a lot of connection options. There is one HDMI ARC port, a digital optical port, and an auxiliary input. For more information, the Vizio V Series adds a USB port and a 3.5mm stereo audio input.
We have said in the past that most soundbars need extra connections, and we still stand by that. But, at the end of the day, this is a cheap $250 soundbar. It would have been nice to have more HDMI ports, but at this price, it’s not a deal-breaker.
Polk Audio Signa S3 review: Performance
The Polk Signa S3 is another great soundbar from the well-known speaker maker Polk. It takes advantage of its 2.1-channel layout to make a musical and powerful sound. This impressive all-arounder gives the front soundstage a lot of width, which is great for bigger TVs.
The subwoofer is well-integrated and gives a nice bassy thump. This soundbar is unassuming and has a low profile, so it won’t block your screen or draw too much attention to itself. It’s also priced very competitively.
Final Words
The Polk Signa S3 soundbar is a great choice if you want a high-quality sound system that is easy to use. It has great sound quality, advanced audio technologies, and easy-to-use control and navigation features that make listening to music easy and immersive. Don’t hesitate; if you want something cheap to bang your windows with high-definition volume, get your hands on it.
Polk Audio Signa S3 Ratings
Polk Audio Signa S3 review: the good and the bad
The Good
- Simple to put together and use.
- Makes sound that is clear and crisp.
- A wireless subwoofer gives sound more bass and depth.
The Bad
- Lack of Dolby Atmos support.
- Limited sound customization options.
FAQS
How many watts is Polk Signa S3?
The 40-watt subwoofer is about 13.0 inches tall, 6.8 inches wide, and 12.2 inches deep. The sound comes from a 5.25-inch driver that is hidden behind the grille.
Can I control my Polk sound bar from my phone?
It is easy to set up and use the Polk Omni app. It installs the drivers and playfi, but the free version has fewer features (to controlling one device at a time). The app lets you change the volume and choose which speaker to play through if you have more than one.
What do the buttons on my Polk soundbar do?
On top of the main Polk Audio MagniFi 2 soundbar cabinet are buttons for power, input selection, Bluetooth, mute, and turning the volume up or down.